Shelf structure



Dec. 15, 1931.

G. E. LUCE SHELF STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 29, 1930 n...- sjmjim lam A TTORNEYS Patented Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES GRAFTON E. LUCIE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SHELF STRUCTURE Application filed September 29, 1930. Serial No. 485,113.

This invention relates to a shelf construction. More particularly it relates to a shelf which is adjustable as to length and may be installed in closets or other rooms whose walls are spaced at different distances apart.

One feature of the invention resides in the fact that the shelf structure is supported by frictional engagement with the walls so that no damage is done to the walls in installing the shelf and it may be easily removed for repapering or cleaning of the walls.

Another feature resides in the fact that the shelf is supported by a truss construction so that great strength is secured with a minimum of weight.

Another feature resides in the fact that the construction is such that it may be assembled and placed in position without the use of tools of any kind. It is thus adapted for household use and its location is easily changed, as desired.

Another feature resides in the fact that the lower member of the truss construction is of such a nature that it may be used as asupport for clothes hangers and the like.

Other features reside in the specific construetion set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following specifications and claims:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the shelf structure installed between two walls of a clothes closet. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on a plane through the line 22 of Figure 1.

'A pair of end plates 10 have fastened thereto upwardly-extending members 11 and friction pads 12. The pads 12 are of rubber or other suitable resilient material adapted to provide frictional engagement with the walls 13 of the clothes closet. Each of the plates 10 has formed thereon a socket 14 adapted to receive the end of a hollow tube 15. A threaded rod 16 has one end inserted in the end of each of the tubes 15 and carries wing nuts 17 threadedly engaged therewith. The rod 16 passes through suitable holes in the lower ends of a pair of upwardly-extending members 18, preferably of the V-shape shown in the drawings. These holes are of the proper size to pass the rod 16 but not the tubes 15 so that the V-shaped members 18 abut Thus the adjustment is easily made from a against the ends of the tubes 15. Truss rods 19 connect the upper ends of the 'V-shaped members 18 to the plate 10. A shelf deck 20 is carried by the upper ends of each member I l1 and the corresponding V-shaped member 05 18. A central deck member 21 having slotted holes 22 rests upon the upper surfaces of the deck members 20 and bridges the gap therebetween. The structure is fastened to gether as shown in the drawings by bolts fito0 ted with wing nuts 23, the said'bolts, in the case of the deck member 21, passing through the slotted holes 22.

In placing the device in service, the plates 10, members 11, pads 12, tubes 15, members 18 and rod 16 are first assembled in their proper relation with the pads 12 resting against the wall. The wing nuts 17 are then tightened against the members 18, forcin the pads 12 against the Walls with sufficient orce to provide enough frictionto support the shelfv structure and itsload. The truss rods 19 and the decks 20 and 21 are then put in place and fastened by meansof the wing nuts 23. By the use of wing nuts, the entire opera- 7 tion is performed without the use of tools. The adaptability of the device to closets of varying Width is limited only by the length of the threaded rod 16 and the slotted holes 22.

It is to be noted that the tubes 15, rod 16, V-shaped members 18, plates 10 and truss rods 19 form a truss construction which gives great strength with little weight. The tubes 15 and rod 16 may also serve as supports for clothes hangers such as 24. If desired, the exposed portion of rod 16 may be covered by a tube of the same diameter as tubes 15 to present a neater appearance. Other variations in the details of the device are possible Without departing from the broader features of the invention as set forthin the following claims.

It is also to be noted that the adjustment for length takes place in the central portion of the shelf, namely the rod 16 and plate 21.

closet door even when the door does not extend to the ends of the closet.

The invention claimed is:

1. A shelf structure including friction members adapted for frictional engagement with a pair of oppositely-positioned walls, an

elongated member engaging each of said friction members, said members having recesses therein, a threaded rod having its ends adapted to enter said recesses, nuts'threadedly engaging said rod and adapted to be moved to force said elongated members against said friction members to press the same against said walls, and a shelf deck supported thereby.

2. A shelf structure including a pair of plates baving sockets formed therein, a friction pad associated with each of said plates, a hollow tube engaging each of said sockets,

a threaded rod having its ends adapted to enter said tubes, nuts threadedly engaging said rod and adapted to be moved to force said tubes against said plates to press said friction pads against a pair of oppositelypositioned walls, and a shelf deck supported thereby.

3. A shelf structure including friction members adapted for frictional engagement with a pair of oppositely-positioned walls, an extensible member interposed between said friction members, means for positively extending said extensible member to press said friction members against said walls, a pair of upwardly-extending members carried by said extensible member, a pair of upwardlyextending members carried by said friction members, and ashelf deck carried by said upwardly-extending members.

l. A shelf structure including friction members adapted for frictional engagement with a pair of oppositely-positionell walls, an extensible member interposed between said friction n'iei'nbers, means for positively extending said extensible member to press said friction members against said walls, a pair of u )wardly-extending members carried by said extensible member, a pair of upwardly-extending members carried by said friction members, and a shelf deck carried by said 1lpwardly-extending members, said shelf deck being adjustable as to length.

5. A shelf structure including friction members adapted for frictional engagement with a pair of oppositely-positioned walls, an extensible member interposed between said-friction members, means for positively extending said extensible member to press said friction members against said walls, a pair of upwardly-extending members carried by said extensible member, truss rods eonneeting the upper ends of said upwardly-extending members and said friction members, a pair of upwardly-extending members carried by said friction members, and a shelf deck carried by said upwardly-extending members.

6. A shelf structure including friction members adapted for frictional engagement with a pair of oppositely-positioned walls, an extensible member interposed between said friction members, means for positively exfriction members against said walls, a pair of upwardly-extending members carried by said extensible member, truss rods connecting the upper ends of said upwardly-extending members and said friction members, a pair of up wardly-extending members carried by said friction members, and a shelf deck carried by said upwardly-extending members, said shelf deck being adjustable as to length.

7.. A shelf structure including friction members adapted for frictional 'engagement with a pair of oppositely-positioned Walls, an elongated member engaging each of said friction members, said members having recesscs therein, a threaded rod having its ends adapted to enter said recesses, wing nuts threadedly engaging said rod and adapted to be moved to force said elongated members against said friction members to press the same against said walls, and a shelf deck supported thereby.

8. A shelf structure including a pair of plates having sockets formed therein, a friction pad associated with each of said plates, a hollow tube engaging each of said sockets, a threaded rod having its ends adapted to enter said tubes, wing nuts threadedly engaging said rod and adapted to be moved to force said tubes against said plates to press said friction pads against a pair of oppositely-positioned walls, and a shelf deck sup ported thereby.

S). A shelf structure including friction members adapted for frictional engagement with a pair of oppositely-positioned walls,

an extensible member interposed between said friction members, means for positively extending said extensible member to press said friction members against said walls, a pair of upwardly-extending members carried by said extensible member, a pair of upwardly-extending members carried by said friction members, and a shelf deck carried by said upwardly-extending members, all of said members being fastened together by wing nuts so that no tools need be used in assembling said structure.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

GRAFTON E. LUCE. 

